I felt my core tighten as I gasped in pleasure. I had never felt like this before.

His wet mouth, warm breath, sucking tenderly on my nipples. I reached out to the back of his neck and lowered his head, intertwining my fingers in his hair, urging him to suck harder... faster. When he reached out to play with my other nipple, a delicious shiver ran through me as my core moistened.

Without warning he slid his hand down to my waist, lifting up easily and carrying me into the bedroom.

As he placed me gently on the bed and claimed my mouth once more, his other hand slowly but expertly peeled my clothes off until I was completely naked in front of him.

I shivered, not sure if it was from the cold or the fact that I was nude in front of him. It was after I saw how rigid he was under his briefs that I realized it was fear.

I was scared.

He had taken off his shirt already and as he noticed my hesitation, he paused.

"We don't have to if you're not ready," He whispered, taking my hands in his and gently kissing my fingertips. "I'll never hurt you again. Never. So take your time, it's fine. Okay?" He placed a soft kiss to my lips as he finished.

I tried to calm my beating heart. He wasn't the same person. He wouldn't hurt me. I knew he wouldn't.

As he began to pull away, I stopped him. "I... I want you. Not tomorrow or next time. I want you here and now..."

He observed me with a worried expression for a while. And though his eyes were glassy with desire, he asked, "Are you sure?"

I was sure. I wanted him.

In response, I shyly reached out to place my palm on the fly of his crotch. When I had him in my grasp, I squeezed, making him moan in surprise.

He slowly eased down on me, planting light kisses from my lips down to my chest. When he got to my breasts, he kissed the flesh around it, dutifully avoiding my nipples. Every time he got close to them he would lightly graze them, then proceed to kiss every other part of my body except my nipples.

They stood so erect that they almost began to hurt. "P-please..." I begged, unable to take it anymore.

But he wouldn't budge. Instead he trailed his lips down my neck, pausing to nibble on my earlobe which was effective enough to drive me crazy.

I squirmed when his fingers neared my core. For a brief second, a familiar surge of fear filled me, but as soon as he inserted two fingers into me it was gone. I gasped in pleasure, pushing my hips up as he began to stroke, slowly at first but then increasing the tempo.

I screamed in pleasure, whimpering when he replaced his fingers with his hard, throbbing cock. My eyes widened at how huge he was.

But I didn't care.

I wanted him.

I needed him.

Spreading my legs wider apart, he gently eased into me, pausing at intervals to check if I was okay.

Frustrated, I bucked my hips only stopping when he was fully inside me. As he began to pump, my legs shook.

His thrusts went from slow and careful to fast and wanting, gripping my butt as he pounded. I went crazy when his fingers reached down to tug on my nipples. Soon both our moans melded into each other as we climaxed at the same time.

As he released, I heard him let out a loud growl, almost like he was shifting, but before I could react he had brought his mouth to my neck, biting down on it for a few seconds.

I gasped from the slight pain feeling blood trickle down my neck as a strange sensation pumped through me.

'Mate.'

I turned around in surprise. Nikolai smiled back at me.

I shut my eyes. I thought I had heard someone speak.

I faced Nikolai when he placed a light kiss to the spot where he had bitten. I couldn't help but feel shy as he admired my nude form.

He had marked me as his mate. I was his now. I lowered my eyes when he kissed my forehead, placing my head on his chest as he ran his fingertips down my back.

And as he cradled me in his arms, I decided there and then that this had to be the best feeling in the world.

###Chapter 65 - Me?

Nikolai's POV

I whipped out my phone from the top drawer and dialed Drew's number. He picked up on the first ring. "Wow, look who finally remembered his family exists."

I chuckled. "It's only been three days. Besides this was all your doing, remember?"

He gasped in mock shock. "Me? I have no idea what you're talking about. That's outrageous." As we both burst into laughter, he asked, "How are you really?"

I smiled although I knew he couldn't see me. I turned around to look at Liyah who was sleeping soundly at the moment. "It's one of the best weekends I've had in a really long time," I answered honestly. And it really was. I didn't want it to end.

"You're welcome," Drew laughed and I could already imagine him smirking in satisfaction. "So why did you call, what do you want? And before you deny wanting to ask something, don't. I know you love me, but I'm pretty sure you didn't call to check up on me when I'm sure there are other..." He coughed, "...exciting things that you could be doing."

"You're an idiot," I chuckled, suddenly feeling like a schoolboy as my face heated from the memory. "But yes you're right, I did call for a reason. So..." I trailed off, looking at Liyah. She had insisted that she wanted to stay until her wolf fully awakened and we had been training back to back ever since. It was Tuesday already. And I wasn't sure how long it would take.

I knew she wouldn't want anyone else knowing about the troubles she had with her wolf. I had seen how ashamed she felt about it the first time she had told me. And the last thing I wanted was for her to feel inferior or any less than the rest of us. I wasn't sure how she would feel about me telling Drew, so I didn't.

"Liyah fell a little sick," I finally said.

"What?" The teasing in his voice suddenly changed to concern. "How? Is she okay? Do you need us to come down there? We could bring whatever she might need as well."

"No, no," She's getting better. "But I didn't want to risk driving down the long distance. She needs bed rest for a few days."

"Oh okay then. If you're sure. Just make sure you're both okay."

"We are. I'll also need you to cancel all my meetings for this week, move all the appointments, and if there's an emergency I'll need you to go into the office and sort it out. Let Anna and Margaret give you all the help you'll need until I'm back."

"Okay. That won't be a problem."

"Thank you. We'll be back as soon as we can."

"Oh no, take your time. I'm sure you're both working so... hard. No need to rush."

I hung up to him cackling, my own smile never leaving my face. As I turned to check on Liyah I saw that she was already awake. I was worried from how exhausted she look. We had been training nonstop for the past two days, trying every possible technique to enable her wolf emerge. But no matter how hard we tried, nothing worked.

She had become so frustrated with it all but still she didn't give up. Now she lay weak and tired, stretching out her hand for me to hold. I did, lightly kissing her fingers. "You okay?"

She stretched herself out, nodding. "I feel better now after sleeping."

I wish I knew how to help her. I couldn't imagine just how frustrated she felt, knowing fully well that something was inside her, but powerless to summon it. I kissed her palms again, letting my tongue linger on each spot before I moved to the next.

She smiled, drawing me closer to her and trapping my bottom lip in her mouth. She sucked on it for a while, earning a groan from me as my hand moved to her waist and then down to her butt. I squeezed, grasping a wad of her skirt in my grip as my fingers dug into the smooth, round flesh.

Her moan drove me crazy and before long, I had ripped the dress off her, letting it fall to the floor and staring appreciatively at her naked body.

Suddenly she pulled away. "Let's take a shower," She whispered, her breath fanning my ear as she moved from the bed and into the bathroom, her hips swaying in a sensual walk.

I groaned, letting my hardened cock spring free as I quickly pulled my shorts down. This woman would be the death of me. And I would gladly let her.

I raised her up with her back against the wall as the warm water ran down our faces and to our back. Lowering my head, I nipped lightly on breasts, taking each nipple into my mouth in turn as she squirmed in my hold. When I had aroused her to the point that she had me begging to fuck her, I turned her over, intertwining my fingers in hers and holding steady as I began to take hard, fast thrusts, grunting from the pleasure as her butt bounced against my cock.

As she neared her climax, she reached out behind her to grab my hands, dragging them and placing them to her boobs. I increased my tempo, squeezing hard on her taut nipples as immense pleasure ran through me.

I slowly pumped into her one last time as I released, enjoying those tiny moans of pleasure that escaped her lips every time I thrust deeper.

Although the warm water still ran over us, we were bathed in each other's sweat when I finished. Smiling, I moved my lips over hers in a soft kiss, rubbing her skin lightly as I enveloped her in a hug.

We stayed this way for a while, letting the water wash over us. I listened to the steady beating of her heart, and I wasn't sure I ever wanted to let her go.

###Chapter 66 - It’s okay

Nikolai's POV

My chest tightened as I watched Liyah rake her fingers through her hair. From the helpless look on her face, I knew she was close to tears. We had been at it again today since early this morning. We had tried basically everything I could think of.

I had taken her into the woods to go hunting, hoping her wolf would sense the presence of game and come alive. When that didn't work, I had cut the deer I had caught into pieces. If she felt a thirst for the blood then we were on the right track. But the only effect it had on her was the projection of vomit. It disgusted her to the core.

After that we had tried to put her in a position where she was in danger. A connection with one's wolf was built in such a way that it was designed to protect her. I had been reluctant to try out this method because I was scared of her getting hurt. But after much pleading I gave in. The distance I had to push her from was not a very far one but I was scared nonetheless.

When she landed badly in the bed of flowers below, I jumped down after her in fear that she had gone out. Luckily she was unhurt. Sad but uninjured. But she wouldn't stop.

Now she stood helpless and close to tears and I had no idea what to do or how to help her. My hands clenched into fists as she began to sob.

Wiping her face, she stood. "Nothing is working. Nothing ever works. W-we should just stop, there's no point, okay? I was stupid to think I actually had a wolf in a first place because of some stupid mark.."

"Liyah..."

But she shook her head. "I'm grateful for all your help. But you can't summon something that's not there." She wiped her tear-stained face once more before she turned away. "I'm done."

I watched her walk away, her hands coming up to her face at intervals to wipe away the tears that would not stop falling. I swallowed. Maybe it was time to use the last strategy... the one I hadn't even wanted to think of, but could only be used as a last resort.

What if she hated me after? I wondered, my heart beating hard in her chest. But I couldn't let her give up on this. She had been bullied, ridiculed, and hated for this particular reason. Now that there was a chance to prove all of those people wrong, a chance that she could have a wolf and be recognized as one of her kind. I couldn't let it pass her by. I wouldn't. So I hardened my heart and quickly walked forward to meet her.

"Liyah!" I boomed. When she turned around to face me, I inhaled deeply. I couldn't back down now. I had to go through with this. "So you're just going to give up?!" I spat, making sure the venom in my voice was obvious.

My heart broke at the confused expression on her face as she began to sob afresh. "W-what...what do you expect me to do? Nothing is—"

"Just stop, okay? That's just what you tell yourself to feel better about your failures."

Her eyes widened in shock. "Why are you—"

"Don't even! We've been practicing for so many days now. And now because of a minor setback you wanna throw it all away? Are you really that selfish? That weak? You're just going to sit there like a fucking crybaby and let your father win? You're just going to prove him right?"

Her face hardened at the mention of her father. I prayed to the Goddess that this would work out.

When she didn't say anything, I scoffed, moving closer to her. I deliberately pushed her, making her stagger backwards in surprise. "This right here, is why you'll never reach your full potential."

"You're weak... scared... soft," I coated my words with disgust, making sure to punctuate each word with a hard shove. "What? You can't even fight me can you? It's not even surprising. You're weak, no matter what anyone does to you, how much they push you around, you never get angry. You let them control you...like a puppet."

As her face reddened, I shoved harder. Harder. Until she began to block my punches, albeit slowly and with tears streaming down her face. I wanted to hug her and wipe them away. But I had to finish this.

"Your father? He's right about you, they all are. You're nothing but a scared little girl and you continue to be for the rest of your life." She staggered backwards as I continued to shove her.

I spat at her feet. "You're not worthy of anything, and you'll never be! You're just a big, fat, pushover!"

As I threw the final punch, a loud growl escaped her, her clothes ripping as she transformed. As I came to a standstill staring in shock at the exquisite, shiny black fur of her wolf and the icy blue glare, she slashed through my chest, her claws digging deep into my skin and making me drop to the ground in pain.

As blood oozed out of the wound in my chest, she shifted back to her human form, staring at herself in surprise as if comprehending what had just happened.

When she did, she let out a high pitched scream, jumping up and down in joy as she continued to ogle at her now nude form. "Did you see that?!" She yelled, rushing forward and launching herself at me in joy.

I couldn't but laugh as she continued to gush, apologizing for the wound she had inflicted and reaching down to kiss my lips.

After she was done kissing my entire face, I finally managed to steady her. Pulling her into a hug, I whispered, "I'm so sorry I had to say all of that to you. It was the only way I could think of to provoke you enough and—"

She stopped me with a kiss. "It's okay. I understand."

Smiling, she kissed my face again making me laugh. "Do you want to go in and get something to eat?" She asked, smiling so widely I hoped her lips wouldn't break. I had never felt so happy about something. Finally, she felt complete. She was happy. In every way. And that was all I needed. If she was whole, I was whole.

Gripping her butt in my hands, I kissed her. "With you laying naked and looking like a whole meal, I can think of a few things we could do instead."